"Nassau County - Long Island, New York"

Mineola, NY- The independent Office of Legislative Budget Review performed an audit of the handling of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds by the Nassau County Comptroller’s Office at the request of the Democratic Minority and welcoming of Comptroller George Maragos. The review found the Comptroller’s Office had paid all claims correctly with proper support and in one case, “the Comptroller’s Vendor Claims Department discovered a billing error which reduced the original invoice by half and paid accordingly.”

“While a few of the Legislators on the Democratic side of the aisle have spent the last few months making unfounded and irresponsible allegations, I hope that this report will end the political circus,” Comptroller Maragos said. “We have, since day one, diligently reviewed all Superstorm Sandy claims for proper supporting documentation and compliance with the stringent standards of FEMA for full reimbursement. This review released by OLBR confirms my office’s professionalism and strict protection of taxpayer money.”

The Comptroller’s office assisted OLBR to review hundreds of Superstorm Sandy related claims. OLBR stated in their review that, “the Comptroller welcomed our presence and made staff from the latter unit [claims department] available.”

The vendors reviewed by OLBR included Looks Great Services, Inc, Carlo Lizza and Sons Paving, CSM Engineering, P.C., Debristech, Inc., and The Landtek Group, Inc.

“My office has been and will continue to be transparent,” Comptroller Maragos added. “We invited all of the Legislators to review the Sandy claims which resulted in the review by OLBR. I want to thank OLBR for their professionalism in handling this matter. My office is also currently in the middle of conducting an in-depth review of the work and billings by top Superstorm Sandy vendors to further ensure our taxpayers are protected. The results of our review should be release in the upcoming months.

Review of the FEMA Fund

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Independent Review of Sandy Claims Finds Comptroller's Staff Saving Taxpayers Money